Brief total lunar eclipse dazzles skywatchers in western Canada and US

Howard Alexander - News Editor

Early risers in the western Canada and the U.S. should have been able to catch a glimpse a the total lunar eclipse before dawn Saturday, April 4, 2015. This image is from the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California.

Image Credit: Griffith Observatory

April 04, 2015 - 10:25 AM

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The total eclipse of the moon lasted only a short time, but it still dazzled.

Early risers in the western Canada and the U.S. should have been able to catch a glimpse before dawn Saturday. The moment when the moon was completely obscured by Earth's shadow lasted several minutes, making it the shortest lunar eclipse of the century.

Some skygazers complained that clouds prevented them from seeing any of the 3 1/2-hour lunar show.

People in eastern Australia, New Zealand and Japan viewed the eclipse at night.

The total eclipse was unusually brief because the moon passed through the upper part of Earth's shadow. Longer eclipses occur when the moon passes through the middle of the shadow.

OPINION Editor, This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior